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Jul 10, 2024 · Takeaways. Clostridium difficile is a very contagious bacterial infection that causes symptoms such as frequent watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea, fever, blood in your stool, and a rapid ...
- C. Diff Directory
WebMD's Digestive Disorders reference library for patients...
- Probiotics for Diarrhea
Probiotics may help prevent travelers' diarrhea, diarrhea...
- Fluoroquinolones
Fluoroquinolones are a class of antibiotics approved to...
- Fidaxomicin
Find patient medical information for fidaxomicin oral on...
- Vancomycin
Vancomycin is an antibiotic used to treat infections. This...
- Clindamycin
Find patient medical information for clindamycin HCl oral on...
- C. Diff Directory
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Causes
- Risk Factors
- Complications
- Prevention
Clostridioides difficile (klos-TRID-e-oi-deez dif-uh-SEEL) is a bacterium that causes an infection of the colon, the longest part of the large intestine. Symptoms can range from diarrhea to life-threatening damage to the colon. The bacterium is often called C. difficile or C. diff. Illness from C. difficile often occurs after using antibiotic medic...
Symptoms often begin within 5 to 10 days after starting an antibiotic. But symptoms can occur as soon as the first day or up to three months later.
C. difficile bacteria enter the body through the mouth. They can begin reproducing in the small intestine. When they reach the part of the large intestine, called the colon, the bacteria can release toxins that damage tissues. These toxins destroy cells and cause watery diarrhea. Outside the colon, the bacteria aren't active. They can live for a lo...
People who have no known risk factors have gotten sick from C. difficile. But certain factors increase the risk.
Complications of C. difficile infection include: 1. Loss of fluids, called dehydration.Severe diarrhea can lead to a serious loss of fluids and minerals called electrolytes. This makes it hard for the body to work as it should. It can cause blood pressure to drop so low as to be dangerous. 2. Kidney failure.In some cases, dehydration can occur so q...
To protect against C. difficile, don't take antibiotics unless you need them. Sometimes, you may get a prescription for antibiotics to treat conditions not caused by bacteria, such as viral illnesses. Antibiotics don't help infections caused by viruses. If you need an antibiotic, ask if you can get a prescription for a medicine that you take for a ...
May 10, 2023 · As C. diff infection becomes more severe, diarrhea increases. It may occur as much as 10 to 15 times a day. You may notice traces of blood in your poop (stool). You may also develop other symptoms, such as: Persistent abdominal pain. Swollen, distended abdomen.
May 30, 2024 · C. diff is a type of bacterium that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea and stomach cramps. Discover how this bacterium is transmitted and its treatment options.
Mar 6, 2024 · What it is. Clostridioides difficile [klos–TRID–e–OY-dees dif–uh–SEEL], formerly known as Clostridium difficile and often called C. difficile or C. diff., is a germ (bacterium) that causes diarrhea and colitis. Colitis is an inflammation of the colon.
A C. diff infection causes diarrhea, which can range from mild to severe, and in rare cases, can lead to serious complications. The infection most often enters the body after someone touches a surface contaminated with feces from a person infected with C. diff and then touches his or her mouth. Even if C. diff enters your body, in most cases ...
Jun 15, 2024 · Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff, is a bacterial infection that can cause diarrhea and upset stomach. The best treatment for C. diff is antibiotics that you can get from your healthcare provider. You should seek medical care if you develop severe symptoms from C. diff, including fever or low blood pressure.
